next-gen Nissan Quest based on Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country

[Stéphane Dumas]

I spotted this rumor on Allpar about the possibility then Nissan might use the Chrysler RT platform and drivetrains (Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country) for the next-gen Quest
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/st...5-3c0d0f08f97b

[BrickTamland]

The Quest sure gets around. First it was a Mercury, then its own vehicle, and then next a Chrysler.

[jry]

Well, then, that puts a few bucks into the coffers of the pentastar! Good for us.

[johnstarnes]

I just hope it looks very close to that last Nissan minivan concept...Forum I think it was called...white, futuristic and trippy.

[chaseabryant]

I hope that it isn't as obvious that they used the same platform.... the Routan is a mess.

-Chase

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by chaseabryant

I hope that it isn't as obvious that they used the same platform.... the Routan is a mess.

-Chase

I agree but the one thing that VW got right with it is that they made the interior look much better than the chintzy interiors you get with the T&C and Caravan models. Sure it has the same goofy dash mounted shifter but to me the Routan seems to have higher quality materials.

As for the new Quest I hope it looks different too. But just like the Routan though, expect the same Chrysler interior bits here and there and the same overall boxy shape

[chaseabryant]

Originally Posted by GMfan1111

I agree but the one thing that VW got right with it is that they made the interior look much better than the chintzy interiors you get with the T&C and Caravan models. Sure it has the same goofy dash mounted shifter but to me the Routan seems to have higher quality materials.

As for the new Quest I hope it looks different too. But just like the Routan though, expect the same Chrysler interior bits here and there and the same overall boxy shape

That is very true, the Routan does look more upscale than the Dodge and Chrysler variants, amazing what materials can do....

I guess I can see where something boxy like the Dodge/Chrysler vans in Nissan skin would fit into the newer design direction, take the New Maxima and GTR as an example...

-Chase

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

The Quest sure gets around. First it was a Mercury, then its own vehicle, and then next a Chrysler.

Actually the Mercury Villager was more Nissan than the other way around. Those vans were powered by Nissan V6 engines. "Ford's" minivan was the Aerostar back in 1993.

The previous Quest was a joke of a minivan....they tried way too hard in the styling department. Dodge is the minivan segment leader because they care more about function over form. The new Quest being a Dodge van has something to do with the Ram/Titan deal too I suspect. I'm sure Nissan will be supplying small cars to Dodge very soon.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

Actually the Mercury Villager was more Nissan than the other way around. Those vans were powered by Nissan V6 engines. "Ford's" minivan was the Aerostar back in 1993.

The previous Quest was a joke of a minivan....they tried way too hard in the styling department. Dodge is the minivan segment leader because they care more about function over form. The new Quest being a Dodge van has something to do with the Ram/Titan deal too I suspect. I'm sure Nissan will be supplying small cars to Dodge very soon.

I'm beginning to agree with that too. Hopefully if Dodge gets a Nissan branded vehicle......it actually shows up with a decent interior

[t-rex]

It's minivans.... who cares?

[eurohazard]

Originally Posted by t-rex

It's minivans.... who cares?

lol, you're right....Chrysler should move their focus back to the Viper! "One for every household", says Jim Press!

[Bravada]

I don't believe VW would let yet another automaker get the same minivan. Three-way deals happen very rarely in the automotive world. I do believe Nissan have their own development plan for the next slew of minivans, which involved the Renault Espace (best-selling regular-sized minivan in Europe) and also their many lines of minivans in Japan.

"The Quest has been a failure" for Nissan, Wolkonowicz said, while Chrysler's minivans have been a "spectacular" success, setting the bar for the entire industry segment.

It was in 1984, John...

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

The previous Quest was a joke of a minivan....they tried way too hard in the styling department. Dodge is the minivan segment leader because they care more about function over form.

I disagree. The Quest's styling is a joke, but it's actually a pretty good minivan except for the price. My wife and I considered one last spring. It had the lowest step in height (great for our preschool sons), very comfortable second and third row seats even for big adults, very easy access to the third row seat, excellent crash ratings, and a huge amount of cargo space and seats that folded pretty close to flat (not as good as Stow'N'Go from Chrysler, but very close).

Here's why I think it didn't sell:
1. Consumer Reports rated the Quest reliability as very poor.
2. The factory warranty is only 3/36,000 or 4/50,000.
3. Depending upon options, it's one of the most expensive minivans you can buy. If you just want a basic, no frills minivan, a stripped Dodge Grand Caravan (or Chevy Uplander) can be gotten for around $20,000. The Quest base price is almost $26,000.
4. Driver leg room is a little tight.
5. Electronic stability control (ESC) was standard on a lot of the competition but was and is only available on $35,000+ trim levels on the Quest.

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by EldoFan

I'm beginning to agree with that too. Hopefully if Dodge gets a Nissan branded vehicle......it actually shows up with a decent interior

I have heard that Chrysler will in fact have a B segment car based on the Nissan Versa. What Brand it will go to Is still unknown but the B segment and A segment car projects do exist

[AMERICA 123]

This is being reported as an on again off again kind of deal.

The possibility of a Nissan sourced Sprinter replacement is also being alluded to as a 'possibility' well.

Nissan has large vehicle ( 'North American style' ) production capacity in both NA and Japan to be concerned with - its not exactly clear what they would do with that if the Quest became Chrysler based along with the Titan off the Ram.

Somewhere in this has to the aspect of a possible Renault/Nissan - Chrysler tie up - which also seems to be blowing hot and cold. MB still has some standing in all this as well.

Its probably a very complicated question for all parties but especially so for Renault/Nissan.